"A farmer posted a 'no trespassing' sign to keep the neighborhood boys from crossing his property. One embittered lad vowed he would get even. One night he stole onto the farm with a sack of Johnson Grass seed and sowed it generously in every field. (Johnson Grass spreads rapidly and is a weed that is almost impossible to destroy.) A few years later the boy married the farmer's only daughter. In a short time the old man died, and the boy inherited the farm. He spent the rest of his life fighting Johnson Grass." -Anonymous

I really believe that if we would concentrate on the consequences of our actions, instead of the possible pleasure to be derived from them, it would be very easy to say "no" to temptation. We normally try to block out the consequences of sin while we contemplate committing it. We somehow talk ourselves into believing that maybe it really is not as bad a we have heard or thought before. We convince ourselves that we are different. We can handle it better than others and there will be no problems associated with it. How foolish we are!

We need to learn the valuable lesson well illustrated in the story above. Sin has its consequences! Our sins may well come back to haunt us. The most important consequence of sin is that it separates us from God and will cause us to be lost (Isa. 59:2; Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 6:23). Thankfully our sins will be forgiven as we meet God's conditions of salvation.

But recognize that some things you do might have consequences associated with them that you have to live with, whether forgiven or not! Mom struck the rock and was not allowed to enter the promised land. I am sure he asked for and received God's forgiveness for that, but he still had to bear the consequence of that sin. David committed adultery with Bathsheba. I am sure he begged God's forgiveness for such and will be in heaven, but the child still died and tragedy followed his family just as Nathan said. He had to live with the consequences of his actions!

You can be forgiven of fornication, but you still may have to deal with a child born into this world out of wedlock! You can be forgiven of stealing or vandalism, etc., but may have to serve a prison sentence! You can be forgiven for using drugs or drinking, but you cannot change ruining your mind and body by such, nor bring back the person you killed by drunken driving! (Stories about such could be multiplied, like the 16-year-old boy who was driving while intoxicated, had a wreck and killed his best friend"something you have to live with the rest of your life.")

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting" (Gal. 6:7-8). "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. . ." (Hos. 8.7). "Who will render to every man according to his deeds" (Rom. 2:6). "Be sure your sin will find you out" (Num. 32:23).

Look up and ahead. Do not be blinded by sin. Think of the consequences of your actions and say no to sin!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 23, p. 712
December 6, 1984